Justin Meram

2014 (Columbus): Meram made 32 appearances -- including 19 starts -- at midfield as part of a breakout campaign. He scored eight goals and assisted on four others, career-bests in both categories. Meram appeared in the season-opening win at D.C. (March 8) and recorded his first assist of the season. He was an 89th-minute sub and scored the game-winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time at Seattle (March 29). He made his first start of the season at left midfield against New York (April 26) and drew a penalty that led to a Columbus goal. Meram came on as a late-match substitute at New England (July 26) and assisted on Ethan Finlay’s match-winning goal. He scored his third goal of the season in a second-half substitute appearance versus Toronto FC (August 9). He scored the opening goal versus the LA Galaxy (August 16) and added an assist later in the contest. Meram repeated the one-goal, one-assist effort for the second consecutive match in a start versus Houston (August 23). He started in the club’s final nine League matches of the regular season, recording his first career brace versus Chivas USA (September 7) and scoring again at Philadelphia (October 11). Meram made his postseason debut and scored his first MLS Cup Playoffs goal in a start versus New England (November 1) -- he started the second leg at New England (November 9) and recorded his first career MLS Cup Playoffs assist. Meram made two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup appearances, including one start in tournament action -- he made a substitute appearance in the 2-1 win over Indy Eleven in the Fourth Round (June 17) and started at forward in the Fifth Round at Chicago (June 25). Following the season, he received his first-ever international call-up, making three caps for Iraq at the 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations.

2013 (Columbus): Meram made 19 appearances split between right midfield, left midfield and forward in his third season with the Black & Gold, recording one goal and one assist. His appearances included eight starts and five substitute appearances at left midfield, one start and three substitute appearances at right midfield and two substitute appearances at forward. He made his season debut against San Jose (March 16) and his first start of the year at right wing in the match at Toronto (May 18). In his second straight start at right midfield at New York (May 26), he was awarded a penalty which led to a Federico Higuain goal. Meram made starts in the right midfield at Philadelphia (June 5) and against New York (August 10) but did not travel to the match at Real Salt Lake (August 24) suffering from back spasms. He returned to action with a start at left midfield against Seattle (August 31) and in the next match against Houston (September 4) scored his first goal and recorded his first assist – the game-winner – of the season in a start at left midfield in the 2-0 win. In MLS Reserve League action, he made nine starts – five at forward and four in the midfield – scoring one goal and recording one assist. In the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, he made two appearances – including one start at forward – and scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute in the Third Round win against Dayton (May 29) after subbing-on.

2012 (Columbus): In his second season, Meram made 22 appearances and 11 starts to score four goals and record one assist in 960 minutes. Meram recorded goals in three consecutive games during the month of May against FC Dallas, San Jose and Seattle. He also scored the game-winner in the 89th minute on September 19.

2011 (Columbus): Meram made his MLS regular season debut on May 28 against Chivas USA. He appeared in 12 other matches as a substitute and started four matches. The rookie recorded his first professional assist on June 4 and another on June 18. 2011. Meram started in seven matches in the MLS Reserve League season, scoring four goals and recording one assist. Meram started and recorded an assist in the club's U.S. Open Cup match against Richmond. Meram appeared in both quarterfinal matches against Real Salt Lake as a substitute in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Meram split his college career between Michigan (2009 - 2010) and Yavapai College (2007 - 2008). He started 40 of 41 matches played while at Michigan scoring 24 goals and recording 14 assists. Meram earned back-to-back Second Team All-BigTen honors (09-10). He started all 52 matches at Yavapai College with 51 goals and 30 assists, earning two consecutive National Junior College Player of the Year honors (07 - 08). Meram was elected to the NJCAA Hall of Fame in May 2012.

INTERNATIONAL

As of January 30, 2015

Meram earned his first call-up by the Iraq National Team on November 10, 2014 ahead of the 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations. In the tournament, the winger made his first career international appearance and earned his first cap with a start against Kuwait, playing the full 90 minutes. He earned his second cap in a 1-1 draw against Oman and his third in a 2-0 loss to the United Arab Emirates as Iraq failed to advance from the Group Stage.

Meram earned his second call-up to participate in training camp and friendlies ahead of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. In the tournament, he made substitute appearances against both Jordan (January 12) and Japan (January 16). He started the Lions of Mesopotamia's final Group Stage match against Palestine (January 20), helping Iraq to a 2-0 win and qualification for the Quarterfinals. Meram started that Quarterfinal match against Iran, playing 45 minutes in a match that Iraq eventually won on penalties 3-3 (7-6). Meram made an appearance in the Third Place match, coming on as a late substitute against the UAE and earning his 11th cap in the process.

ACQUIRED

Meram was selected 15th overall by Columbus in the First Round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and was re-signed on December 2, 2014.

PERSONAL

Meram is the son of Lamia and Sam Meram. In his free time, he enjoys relaxing, talking to his family back home and attending Columbus Blue Jackets and Clippers games. He lists winning the National Championship with Division II program Yabapai, where he attended from 2007-2008, as well as getting drafted by Columbus as his two favorite soccer memories. Meram enjoys watching action movies and listening to techno, rap and country. His favorite band is Fun. Outside of MLS, Meram supports Real Madrid and his favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo. Meram’s role models are his parents and his uncle Tony. His favorite place that he’s traveled to is Vancouver and he’d like to travel to Madrid and Italy someday. Meram was a high school football kicker and he played for University of Michigan’s football program for two years, wearing number 38. Both of Meram’s parents immigrated from Iraq to Michigan and he supports Michigan teams: the Red Wings and Lions. In addition to the football team, Meram also is fascinated with the animal lion as well. He was National Player of the Year with Yabapai in 2008 and was inducted into the NJCAA Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012 for his career at the junior college. In addition to English, Meram is fluent in Chaldean, a dialect of Arabic.